Regional airport operator Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd (HIAL) has reported a near six per cent year-on-year increase in February passenger numbers.

Scottish Government-owned HIAL said 92,607 passengers passed through its network of regional airports in February, an increase of more than 5,100, or 5.9 per cent, on February 2013.

HIAL reports "particularly strong growth" at Sumburgh Airport in Shetland where numbers were up 30 per cent year-on-year to 22,768 passengers, helped by strong energy sector demand and more passengers flying between Shetland and Aberdeen.

Inverness Airport recorded a 3.7 per cent rise in passenger numbers to 39,296, which HIAL said was down more passengers using services to Amsterdam, Belfast, Bristol, Birmingham and Manchester.

Kirkwall, Stornoway, Islay and Campbeltown airports also reported growth in passenger numbers over the year.

However, passenger numbers were down at Barra, Benbecula and Tiree and Wick has reported a 33 per cent decline in passenger numbers since February 2013 while passengers at Dundee have dipped almost 25 per cent.

HIAL said a new twice daily Loganair service to London Stansted is due to begin flying from Dundee later this month.

HIAL managing director, Inglis Lyon, said: "The unprecedented growth at Sumburgh is fantastic news for the local economy and underlines the important role the airport plays as a major energy hub for Scotland.

"Continued growth in the energy sector and in scheduled services means we need to invest for the future to accommodate the forecast growth in demand. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing plans for a major redevelopment of Sumburgh to enable future growth.

"We are confident we can attract more energy related business to our airports, particularly Wick John O'Groats and Sumburgh.

"The recent agreement between BP and Eastern to operate energy related flights between Aberdeen and Sumburgh is a sign of the potential for growth."